Playmakers Hosts Heller Theatre of Tulsa's HANNAH and MARTIN 2/28 -3/1

The Playmakers are sponsoring Heller Theatre of Tulsa in a two performance guest appearance of their winning one-act version of the play, "Hannah and Martin" by Kate Fodor. The performances are Sat. Feb 28 at 7:30 pm and Sun. March 1 at 2:00 pm.

This play was presented at the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association Festival in 2008 and will represent Oklahoma in the Regional Festival in Kerrville, Texas on April 15-19, 2009. The director, Julie Tattershall, was given the Best Director Award for the play, also.

"This is a powerful play and a stunning performance by Heller Theatre," says Playmaker Ivy Foster, who saw the play at OCTAFest. "Just as Hannah can't get Martin out of her mind, you won't soon get this play out of your mind. Although set during pre- and post war Germany of the 20's and 30's, the issues of the politics of forgiveness are timeless. The themes of "Hannah and Martin" are similar to "The Reader," currently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture," she adds. "How does one come to terms with affairs of the heart versus the horrors of Nazi war crimes? The heart wants what the heart wants, and Heller Theatre superbly dramatizes that agony."

Hannah & Martin" is based on the true story of the relationship between the Jewish political theorist Hannah Arendt (Harriet Chenault) and the renowned philosopher Martin Heidegger(David Gray). In Germany in the 1920s, Heidegger and Arendt have a tumultuous love affair while he is a professor and she is his admiring student. But as the National Socialist come to power, Heidegger uses his fame and brilliance to help further the goals of the Nazi party. After the devastation of World War II, Arendt, who has fled to America and has become a respected public figure in her own right, returns to Germany and visits Heidegger at the home he shares with his wife. There she struggles to come to terms with his involvement with the Nazis and to understand what he still means to her.

Reservations are encouraged due to limited seating: call The Playmakers, 918-786-8950 or email: 1groveplaymakers@sbcglobal.net. Rather than normal tickets, donations will be received at the performances to help this talented troupe attend the Regional competition. The suggested maturity level for this production is high school and above. This age level is based on the ability to understand the play and find it enjoyable.

More info at www.hellertheatre.com